Costume designer Lyn Paolo is a legend in her field, a two-time Emmy Award winner for “Homefront” who worked on such seminal series as “The West Wing,” “E.R.,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” and “Shameless.” But in an exclusive video interview with Gold Derby as part of our Meet the Experts costume designers panel, Paolo says it was “Queen Charlotte” that might stand as her career highlight.
“‘Queen Charlotte’ is one of those shows that you look back on in your career and think, ‘Thank you. Yeah, that was a special moment,’” Paolo says. For her efforts, the former Emmy winner is a nominee again this year. (The 2023 Emmys are set to take place in early 2024 after being delayed due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes.)
A spin-off of the blockbuster Netflix series “Bridgerton,” “Queen Charlotte” features dual plotlines. In one, set in the present day of the “Bridgerton” universe, Queen Charlotte mourns the death of her daughter. In the past, however, which makes up the bulk of the show, Charlotte meets and marries King George and the show explores the younger years of the future leader.
Paolo was a consultant on “Bridgerton” already, so when it came time for the show’s spinoff, executive producer Shonda Rhimes didn’t have to look far for a costume designer. “Queen Charlotte” is one of several projects Paolo has done with Rhimes, including “Scandal” and “Inventing Anna.”
“I’m fortunate that I get to work with her because she loves the costume department,” Paolo says of Rhimes. “She’s a fabulous collaborator, although she gives you – honestly – the most creative freedom. She often will say, ‘Are you happy with that?’ And I go, ‘Yeah, I like it. I want to change this, this, and this.’ And she goes, ‘You do you.’ Basically, off you go – which is a great gift for a costume designer.”
Paolo says that another great trait Rhimes possesses is her specificity. The costume designer cites a key scene at the beginning of the series when Charlotte has one of her many great speeches. Rhimes wrote detailed descriptions of her dress, but Paolo was able to make some adjustments.
“I wrote to Shonda and said, ‘I want this gown to be sort of in the blue tones. And can we change the stones on the bodice to sapphires?’ She had written rubies. And she was very happy. ‘Oh, yeah, I’ll change it.’ So you know, it’s lovely to be able to have that [with a collaborator].”
There are more than 80 dresses worn by the title character in “Queen Charlotte” and while Paolo didn’t keep track of the specific number, she knows there were dozens of costume changes – not that she could easily pick a favorite. “I do have a fondness for her for wedding gowns. I just thought they ended up being quite beautiful,” Paolo says. “But I shouldn’t pat myself on the back – it’s the whole team. But I think they both serve their purpose well for the story.”
All episodes of “Queen Charlotte” are streaming on Netflix.
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